fishmeok
Vendor
- Messages
- 759
- Location
- minneapolis
This is a good example of the perils of sniper programs. I put this on my sniper list on impulse a while back and forgot to remove it later.
I won the auction.
It's a US Authentic B-3, size 44. It must be an earlier version as it looks completely different than the one they currently have on their website- the current one is looks absolutely identical to the WPG B-3, but costs almost $400 more!!!
It's a decent enough jacket, the fleece in particular is exceptional, but it's subtly "off" in some very odd ways. the cuffs are separate from the sleeves like a real B-3, but they are sewn on to the same diameter instead of being smaller. the hardware is all gold, the right side of the zipper has tape over it, collar straps too short, missing the little square leather tabs at the bottom of the zipper, reinforcement and tape leather not the same color, etc. It does have the collar snaps though.
But the strangest thing is the cut- it must be a 44 XXX long, because it hangs down almost past my crotch (I'm 6'). It is definitely the WARMEST friggin jacket I've ever had though, much warmer than my WPG Irvin, and like I mentioned above the fleece is superb. It matches the color of my Eastman B-6 Gunners cap perfectly, and looks authentic.
Because I like the fleece so much I think I'm going to fix this thing. The B-3 is much less complicated than an A-2, and it will not be a big deal to re-do the cuffs properly, remove the zip and shorten the body, and change the leather reinforcement color (Using the Eastman as a guide). I think it will be a fun project...
Cheers
Mark
And my wife- modeling proper reading attire....
I won the auction.
It's a US Authentic B-3, size 44. It must be an earlier version as it looks completely different than the one they currently have on their website- the current one is looks absolutely identical to the WPG B-3, but costs almost $400 more!!!
It's a decent enough jacket, the fleece in particular is exceptional, but it's subtly "off" in some very odd ways. the cuffs are separate from the sleeves like a real B-3, but they are sewn on to the same diameter instead of being smaller. the hardware is all gold, the right side of the zipper has tape over it, collar straps too short, missing the little square leather tabs at the bottom of the zipper, reinforcement and tape leather not the same color, etc. It does have the collar snaps though.
But the strangest thing is the cut- it must be a 44 XXX long, because it hangs down almost past my crotch (I'm 6'). It is definitely the WARMEST friggin jacket I've ever had though, much warmer than my WPG Irvin, and like I mentioned above the fleece is superb. It matches the color of my Eastman B-6 Gunners cap perfectly, and looks authentic.
Because I like the fleece so much I think I'm going to fix this thing. The B-3 is much less complicated than an A-2, and it will not be a big deal to re-do the cuffs properly, remove the zip and shorten the body, and change the leather reinforcement color (Using the Eastman as a guide). I think it will be a fun project...
Cheers
Mark
And my wife- modeling proper reading attire....
